It was another split decision Saturday, Oct. 4 for the Canton Lions, with two teams winning and two others falling a bit short against the Ypsilanti Braves.

In the varsity game, the Lions dominated on both sides of the line of scrimmage in racking up a 31-0 victory.

The offense featured two TDs by Desmond Dewberry and one each by Jimmy Gibbons and LaRan Blunt and the defense could not be penetrated.

Sunday, the Lions will take part in their 50th anniversary game against the Belleville Cougars at P-CEP.

JUNIOR VARSITY: After a promising start, the Lions JV team lost 31-7 to the Braves.

Big plays early included Riley Simpson catching a 50-yard reception in the first frame and Sheldon Lyall picking off a Braves pass in the second. Also before halftime, Nicholas Azzouz scored on a kickoff return with Jerome Nichols adding the extra point on a run.

In the third quarter, Calvin Brown Jr. had a 30-yard run and a 20-yard pass reception from quarterback Marco Johnson. On defense, Jon Hanton stripped the ball on a tackle; and the resulting fumble was recovered by Josh Bergevin.

Azzouz, Brown, Nichols, Spencer Korroch and Briar Vendlands all had second-half tackles, while an eventful fourth quarter included an interception by Ezell Snipes, a long kickoff return by Brown and fumble recovery by Tywayne Williams.

FRESHMAN: Ypsilanti won 14-7, staving off a late comeback try by the Lions.

The Lions' first drive began on the 50 yard line. Carries by running backs Daniel Carroll, Josh Nichols and Jeffrey Shipp moved the ball down the field. Carroll racked up 30 yards on the Lions' first possession, when he also put the first seven points on the board.

Despite a first-half defensive force, with tackles by Aaron Alexander, Luke Rayborn, Shipp and Derik Watson, the Braves also reached the end zone, tying the score at 7-all.

In the second half, two quarterback keepers by Shipp resulted in a gain of 37 yards. But the possession came to a halt with an eventual turnover on downs; and on the Braves' first snap, a touchdown, and an extra point, put Ypsi ahead, 14-7.

A steadfast defense kept the Braves away from the end zone for the rest of the game, with tackles by Alexander, Daniel Baldwin, JaMarcus Barnes, Gavin Bobby, Tyler Klabunde and Shipp, including stops inside the 5-yard line by cornerback Ryan Goodson and defensive end Watson.

JUNIOR FRESHMAN: The Canton Lions junior freshman team improved to 5-0 with a win over the Braves.

Strong blocking allowed the offense to lock in an early lead, with a 60-yard touchdown run by Kristopher Easley on the first play of the game.

Despite commanding runs by Easley and Bralen Willis, that would be the only trip to the end zone for either team during this battle of defenses.